This book presents a guided wave-based structural health monitoring
(GWSHM) system for aeronautical composite structures. Particular
attention is paid to the development of a reliable and reproducible
system with the capability to detect and localise barely visible impact
damage (BVID) in carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) structures.
The authors introduce a novel sensor installation method that offers
ease of application and replacement as well as excellent durability.
Electromechanical Impedance (EMI) is also explored to assess the
durability of the sensor installation methods in simulated aircraft
operational conditions including thermal cycles, fatigue loading, and
hot–wet conditions.
Damage characterisation using GWSHM is described and used to
investigate damage in different CFRP structures. Key issues in guided
wave-based damage identification are addressed, including wave mode and
frequency selection, the influence of dynamic load, the validity of
simulated damage, and the sensitivity of guided waves to impact damage
in different CFRP materials.
The influence of temperature on guided wave propagation in
anisotropic CFRP structures is described, and a novel baseline
reconstruction approach for temperature compensation is presented.
Finally, a multi-level hierarchical approach for the quantification of
an ultrasonic GWSHM system is put forth.
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